A Total of 5,250 Women Will Compete In The 2024 Paris Olympics Games

 

According to the number of registered athletes, a total of 5,250 women will be competing. Based on the IOC data this marks the first time the Olympics has reached gender parity. When the modern Olympics began in 1896 women were mostly excluded. During the 20th century, ,more women participated. Barriers were bein g removed so that women could compete. While this is welcomed news sex discrimination remains. The testosterone regulation remains in place. Transwomen can compete in the Olympics, but the IOC has left guidelines to individual global sports federations. That means a transwoman can still be banned from competing for a place on an Olympic team of their own country. Transgender athletes  were allowed to compete in the Olympics beginning in 2004. The disgraceful practice of sex verification tests continued until 1999. However, it still can be done on the condition of questionable gender identity. Intersexed athletes are subjected to discriminatory treatment. The testosterone regulation for female athletes could be designated as another form of sex verification. These policies undermine women's advancement in international sports competition. Then discrimination based on national origin is apparent. Belarusian women are not going to compete because of their nation's alliance with Russia. Belarus has not engaged in combat in Ukraine. The contradictory measure becomes more obvious when not punishment will be done for Israel. The Gaza War has killed more civilians than Hamas. Countries like Afghanistan refuse to send female athletes. While the number of women has increased,  the are not coming from every nation. To sustain progress, women are going to have to get leadership positions in the IOC. 

Tori Bowie Has Passed Away

 

Tori Bowie a three time Olympic gold medalist was found dead in her home. This comes as a major shock to the sport. The cause of death is not known. Bowie was only 32 years of age. Little information has been given about what her health condition was. Law enforcement claims no evidence of murder has been found. Suicide could not be an answer. No note was left or implication was given.  Friends, family, and fellow athletes have been mourning the loss of  at talented track and field competitor. Born in 1990, her athletic career began in high school. She won school championships and during her 20s made an incredible rise. The 2016 Rio Olympics she was able to win a silver, bronze, and gold medal. The 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and the 400 rely were the events she excelled. More rumors surrounding her death continue to circulate. Nothing is certain until a thorough investigation is conducted. The findings might not become public, depending on her family's wishes. Track and field will not be the same without her.   

World Athletics Bans Transwomen From Competition

 

World Athletics has officially banned transwomen from competition. No category is provided for them and transwomen would not be allowed to compete in the men's category. Another ban has been issued to women with differences in sexual development. Women with SDS are not transwomen, so it is puzzling why they were included in the new policy. The argument is that both transwomen and women with SDS have an unfair athletic advantage. There are few transwomen active in sports and there is not enough data on their performance to say it is impossible for cisgender women to compete with them. Sexual reassignment surgery and hormone replacement does reduce testosterone levels. World Athletics intends to within a year address the issue of transwomen's inclusion. Sebastian Coe President of World Athletics admitted that there are no transwomen currently active in elite international competition. The assertion of protection of female athletes is dubious. Scientific data has shown that transwomen do not remain the same athletic performance, prior to transition. The question remains whether or not all physical advantages can be reduced. If bans can be applied to one group and can be done to others. Russia and Belarus are being excluded based on politics. Policing this new policy could revive sex testing. The argument of ensuring fairness is covering obvious discrimination. World Athletics could have avoided human rights violations and criticism by creating an open category. The formation of an open category would allow transwomen to compete and prevent discrimination against  LGBTQ athletes. The controversy will not go away with a ban. More protests and objections will be directed at World Athletics due to this decision. 

Tobi Amusan Sets A Sports Record

 

Tobi Amusan has set a new world record in the 100m hurdles . Her rise has been gradual with improvements being seen over the years. Kendra Harrison's record was broken by Tobi. Her time clocked was 12,12 seconds. This is an impressive feat. Some have suggested that the timing system was off. Other have implied that the shoes she was wearing for the race gave her an advantage. It appears some do not want to believe an athlete can break records without assistance. Tobi Amusan's footwear was Adidas Adizero shoes. The shoes are not considered illegal in races, nor can it be stated they provide unfair advantage. The Adidas shoe appears to provide more comfort and injury prevention. Tobi Amusan revealed that using the Adizero shoes helped her with patella fasciitis. If wind speed is too powerful  certain times are not allowed for record purposes. This explains why her time of 12.06 in the final will not be added to athletics records. Shoes did not make this happen. Talent and training made it possible. If she keeps improving, then Amusan's appearance at the Olympics will happen. Nigeria has the chance to win many gold medals with an impressive group of athletes. 

Ula Siekacz Competed In A Intergender MMA Match

 

Ula Siekacz who is a personal trainer and arm wrestler competed in an intergender MMA match. The match occurred in Poland and generated controversy. Ula lost the match and some expressed outrage that the event took place. She was defeated in the second round. Ula did express disappointment in the result. She felt that she could have lasted longer, if the referee did not intervene. Ula Siekacz stated that she would probably not fight a man again.  Ula Siekacz to her own admission realized what she was doing. Athletes do like to challenge themselves. The concern seemed to have come mostly from  social media. However, it  some cannot always be out of worry about an athletes safety. There were sexist overtones in some commentary. This is not the first time an intergender match has happened. This event probably would not gotten as much media attention if Ula had won. The framing of it makes it seem as if she was a helpless female victim. Ula Siekacz basically reacted  like any athlete, being frustrated she lost a match. Hopefully this does not discourage her MMA endeavors. 

Details of The Anges Tirop Murder

 

Anges Tirop a successful Olympic runner was murdered. She was found stabbed. Anges was discovered unresponsive in her home . Tirop's  body was in her bed and a wound on her neck. This did not appear to be a burglary or a random act of home invasion.   Kenyan police have named a suspect. The culprit they believe was her husband. Emmanuel Rotich is wanted by authorities. This exposes a real problem women face globally. Domestic violence has become a part of women's daily lives. This is more than just physical or verbal abuse. This can escalate into murder. Emmanuel Rotich called her parents saying he had done something wrong. That gave the police a clue that he might have committed this crime. The case has yet to be solved, but evidence points to Anges Tirop's husband or a person she knew. Only 25 years old, Anges had a bright future ahead of her. Anges Tirop's death is a huge loss to the sport. 

Sha 'Carri Richardson Banned From The Olympics Due To Marijuana Use

 

Sha "Carri Richardson will be missing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She tested positive for marijuana. The ban demonstrates a real problem with drug policy. Marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug. Taking it would effect concentration and focus before competition. This does not make an athlete run faster or become stronger. The only reason this substance is banned is because of a dated War on Drugs policy. That was never meant to protect public health, rather fund a prison industrial complex. Other athletes may have taken drugs that do enhance their performance, but have not been detected. The use of marijuana is not a serious offense. A sports organization does have a right to ban a substance, but the only condition should be that it provides an unfair advantage. Science proves that marijuana does not increase aerobic capacity, strength, endurance, or speed. Nor is it deleterious to health. The US just lost a chance at gold medals over a drug policy that should not exist. Sha' Carri Richardson stated that she takes responsibility and understood the rules. She should not apologize for anything, because the rules in this case are distorted. Richardson's  ordeal is more proof that it is time to legalize marijuana across the United States.

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce Runs The Fastest 100 m

 

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce has made a major mark in track and field. She is on her way to possibly breaking the Florence Griffith Joyner's record. Pryce clocked a time of 10.63. Joyner's times were 10.49, 10.61, and 10.62. She has been improving drastically and there is no doubt that Pryce will win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Shelly-Ann Fraser could possibly reach 10.49 if her improvements continue. Currently, she is one of the fastest women in the world. Pryce does have competition from other athletes. Elaine Thompson Herah and Sha' Carri Richardson are formidable opponents. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce demonstrates that women's athletic performance will continue to improve. The time 10.63 and the upcoming Olympics may be similar to 1988. There are a number of talented athletes about to change the records and  the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be where it happens.